Multi-algorithm study results for NUGT DUST and X

Multi-algorithm study results for NUGT DUST and X

In the interests of scientific method, I'd like to continue the multi-algorithm study by discussing the worst results, those for X (United States Steel Corp. ), NUGT(Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X ETF) and DUST(Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear 3X ETF). There was plenty of potential for disaster in these stocks, very large swings indeed. In fact, as you shall see, these often led to total loss of capital because the algorithms were run both Long and Short--if the stock price doubles and you are short, you are wiped out. All the results for the study can be found in the spreadsheets.

Multi-algorithm test results for X (United States Steel Corp.)

     Multi-algorithm test results for X (United States Steel Corp.)

Multi-algorithm test results for X (United States Steel Corp.)

While the September and Jan optimizations were almost all lossy, the Jun optimizations led to profits for the 50 and 99 day horizons, so overall, losses were fairly neutral. But the technique clearly failed to exploit the price movements of X. Look at the January buy-hold figures, there was plenty of room for profit on the long side, but harshly negative profits for the algorithms.  Similarly for Sept optimizations on the short side.

Multi-algorithm test results for NUGT

Multi-algorithm test results for NUGT (4 algorithms)

Multi-algorithm test results for NUGT (4 algorithms)

The January optimization results are the worst. 25 days into the test, 3 out of the 4 algorithms had gone belly up with a complete loss. Before the 99 days had elapsed, the fourth algorithm had also died off. Not that difficult to understand, though. For the Jan 15 to Jan 16 optimization period the stock price had dropped from $42 down to $3.50, consequently, all the algorithms had a strong short bias. Just at the start of the out-of-sample runs, the stock price started rising, from $3.50 up to $21 at the end of the 99 days. Oh well. On the positive side, most of these losses were offset by the June optimization results, so it  ends up being pretty flat returns overall, but sadly leaving these huge swings unexploited.

Multi-algorithm test results for DUST

Four algorithm result for DUST

Four algorithm result for DUST

While the June optimizations led to some decent exploits, the Jan results were again pitiful, stock price dropped from $1000 to $50, and the algorithms had a buy bias, so not a good result.

 

 

Posted in Daily Signals.

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